The age of the genome. Part 4.

The last in a four-part series in which Richard Dawkins looks in detail at the discoveries and mysteries of the genome. In this part Dawkins talks to leading scientists about the potential powers of genoms science in the future. In May this year, researchers at the J Craig Venter Research Institute announced the creation of the world's first synthetic organism, Synthia. Craig Ventor explains to Dawkins how this is the only organism on the planet that doesn't have a primordial ancestor on earth. He plans on using his discovery to invent environmentally-friendly fuels and other things which can be developed out of microbes. Other issues in the show include whether or not newborn babies should be screened for the possibility of developing obesity and Alzheimer's disease in future? Should parents be allowed to select embryos for intelligence? And will it be possible to use DNA to bring the woolly mammoth back from the dead?